I read an article last week about things that women can do to take care of themselves. Of course there was the obligatory advice to “get plenty of sleep” and “eat nutritious food,” but there were also several paragraphs about the importance of friends. The article said that women’s brains actually release a hormone when we are around our girlfriends, and that it is relaxing and just really good for us. (That is loosely paraphrased, of course.)
I found that really interesting and so true in my own life. As I look back, I see that some of my very best friends today are friends that I have made since becoming a mom. Ladies that I met at storytime or the park when I was pushing one baby in the stroller and carrying the other in my belly share memories with me that will never be forgotten. We walked miles and miles around the park to lose baby weight, then we drove miles and miles taking our kids to museums and zoos, and we drank lots of coffee together to stay awake.
What I love most about my friends is that we can usually just look at each other and know what’s going on. We know not to say, “You look tired,” because of course we’re all tired, and looking tired isn’t a good thing. We know when to offer help, and when to accept help. We know when to give advice and when just to listen.
Friends are so important for women, no matter the stage of life we’re in. I went over to my mom’s house tonight because she might need me, and walked in to her kitchen to find it already full of her friends. It was comforting to me that she has them, because I know they can fill a space that I just can’t.
I agree with you so much Larisa. I can remember the time when I did have friends, but since I’ve moved to the beach I don’t have any. The people at the beach aren’t like the people you grew up with. They don’t know you and don’t want to get to know you. Even in my church there are sometimes a thousand people there. It’s just too many and you don’t stand a chance of getting to know them. I have friendly acquaintances in my neighborhood but all of them are single and don’t include me in any of the activities they do because I’m not single. I have asked God for so long to send me a friend. I guess he’s waiting for the perfect one. Sorry I just wanted to vent. I know it’s not right but I am so so envious of you. Please pray for me.
Mary Vett, it is really hard to make good friends. I’ll be praying that you can find one!